Sarawakiana Festival

The inaugural Sarawakiana Carnival was held at the State Library, Kuching for the very first time in 2010 in conjunction with the 10th anniversary of the Sarawak State Library with a variety of activities on history, arts and culture. It was also organised in Miri. In 2016 this event become an annual event and was held in Kuching and Miri to give greater impact on the state. In 2019 the event was organised once every two years and the Sarawakiana Carnival was changed to Sarawakiana Festival.

Sarawakiana Festival 2021 has been held on 1-30 September 2021.

Objectives

• To promote the role of Pustaka and its Knowledge Partners as catalysts for lifelong learning culture towards better understanding of our own unique identities
• To support and trigger more research on Sarawak biodiversity, history, culture, arts and indigenous knowledge on Sarawak
• To assist in the enrichment of local content resources through various compiled information on the programme
• To strengthen and intensify collaborative initiatives between Pustaka and collaborating partners

Festival Theme

The theme for this year’s festival is simply “Daun” in Malay or “Leaf” (noun) or leaves (plural) in English. It was chosen to reflect the significance and use of local Leaves, especially to the many indigenous groups in Sarawak. The knowledge exemplifies the way of life of its people, culture and arts, history, customs and traditions, continuously being practised and preserved for sustainability to future generations as laid out under UNESCO’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 11).

The Sub-Themes

• Arts & Crafts | Seni halus & kraftangan
• Traditional food and beverages | Makanan tradisional dan Minuman
• Modern and traditional medicine | Perubatan moden dan tradisional
• Ceremonial performance during Religious rites; cultural; tradition and custom | Upacara keagamaan; budaya; adat istiadat
• Building structure or carving | Binaan bangunan atau ukiran
• Traditional games | Permainan tradisional
• Traditional music | Muzik traditional
• History | Sejarah

Expected Output

Sarawakiana Series publication based on the theme: Daun to be published on 2022.

Compilation of resources on Sarawak local recipes, medicinal treatment, health and skincare based on local Sarawak leaves (2021).

Documentation of content in the form of print and Audio Visual publications (books, videos, photographs etc.) created during Sarawakiana Festival 2021.

Impacts and Benefits

• Improve understanding on the importance of Sarawakiana Festival appreciating our own unique identity as Sarawakians and how it could be conveyed and made important to audience.
• Learn and share best practices in managing cultural activities with various collaborating agencies.
• Strengthen and intensify initiatives between Pustaka and collaborating partners
• Assist in the enrichment of local content through the creation of documented resources for the future.
• Portray a profound image of Pustaka as the focal point for collaborative initiatives and source of Sarawakiana resources at local and international level.

Smart Partnershp

1.Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)
2.Divisional Resident Offices Sarawak Craft Council
3.Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), Cawangan Sarawak
4.Jabatan Kesenian dan Kebudayaan Negara (JKKN), Sarawak
5.Jabatan Pertanian Sarawak
6.Persatuan Kesenian dan Warisan Melayu Kuching (KEWARISMA)
7.Lembaga Pelancongan Sarawak
8.Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Sarawak (MTAC)
9.Kelab Budaya Mukun Selendang Sutera, Brunei Darussalam
10.Muzium Negeri Sarawak
11.Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM)
12.Sarawak Biodiversity Centre
13.Sibu Municipal Council (SMC)
14.IFLA Indigenous Matters Section Swinburne University
15.University Malaya
16.Persatuan Berawan Sarawak
17.Persatuan Saban Sarawak
18.Amanah Khairat Yayasan Budaya Melayu Sarawak (AKYBMS)
19.Kuching Skills College
20.Sarawak Cultual Village
21.University College of Technology Sarawak (UCTS)
22.Kolej Komuniti Sibu
23.Persatuan Jatti Miriek, Miri
24.Kesenian dan Kebudayaan Dayak Sibu (KEMEDA)
25.Persatuan Melanau Sibu
26.I-Concept Event Agency
27.Doh kayan Telan Usan (DKTU)
28.Sape Movement
29.Sarakup Indu Dayak Cawangan Sibu
30.United Chinese Association Sibu Division Sarawak
31.Sarawak Craft Council
32.Majlis Adat Istiadat Sarawak (MAIS)
33.Kumpulan Cabik Geronong
34.Institut Perguruan Guru Kampus Sarawak
35.Perbadanan Kemajuan Film Nasional (FINAS) Cawangan Sarawak
36.University College of Technology Sarawak
37.Sixteen Twentynine Sdn. Bhd
38.SMK Riam, Miri
39.Kumpulan Cenderawasih